1908: The Zeppelin LZ-4 makes a 12-hour flight crossing the Alps. It covers the 235 miles from Friedrichshafen to Zürich and reaches speeds of 32 mph.
1927: The first flight of the Lockheed Vega, an influence in the design of later, larger transport of the 1930’s, takes place.
1956: A Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft makes its first operational overflight. It is designed to fly at supersonic speeds and photograph the earth from 60,000 feet. U-2s conduct the first “Operation Overflight” out of Weisbaden West Germany. This mission was an overflight of the Soviet Union. This operation was under the cover designation of 1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Provisional (WRSP-1). Other operational locations followed; WRSP-2 in Incirlik Turkey, WRSP-3 in Atsugi Japan.
1957: First flight of the Ilyushin Il-18.
1986: First flight of the Dassault Rafale.